Balancing Connection and Productivity: Why Every Principal Needs a Rolling Desk

Table of Contents

4 Tips for Implementing a Rolling Desk

One Last Thought

Some days, being a principal feels like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle down a crowded hallway. Observations, family calls, hallway supervision, unexpected crises, and the endless to-do list, each one demanding attention, all at once.

Balancing all of these competing needs is a weight leaders carry with them. And it’s challenging to do it all.

I’ve always admired teachers who find creative ways to meet students where they are. Watching our support teachers glide from room to room with their rolling desks made me wonder: What if I tried the same strategy as a leader? What if, instead of being anchored to my office to do my computer work, I rolled around the building?

So, I gave it a try. One week into my rolling desk experiment, and I can confidently say: it’s been a game-changer.

Not only has it helped me stay visible and accessible, but it has also given me countless opportunities to connect with staff and students in meaningful ways. I’ve helped students process their feelings in the hallway, checked in with them during transitions, and intervened to support them when small issues arose.

More importantly, I’ve had the chance to connect informally with staff in ways that strengthen relationships.

If you’re curious about giving it a try, I have four tips to help you get started with your own rolling desk adventures.

Rolling Desk Tips: Connection & Productivity

1. Share your intentions 

Be transparent. Some staff may see your rolling desk as a surveillance tool, so address that misconception early. Make it clear that your goal is presence and connection and not evaluation.

I recommend introducing the idea at a faculty meeting where people can see you and hear your intent, rather than just sending an email.

2. Equip your desk 

Think of your desk as a mobile command center. Sometimes it may serve as your connection station, other times as a simple workstation.

In mine, I keep pens, sticky notes, tissues, hand sanitizer, and a few fidgets. You can also decorate it with positive messages or seasonal touches to make it inviting; it’s a blank canvas for connection.

3. Connect intentionally 

Every person you pass is an opportunity. Greet them warmly. Ask how they’re doing, what challenges they’re facing, or what they’re looking forward to on the weekend.

These micro-moments, repeated over time, build trust and belonging. And isn’t that at the heart of what we’re trying to create as educators?

4. Balance your time and space 

You won’t use your rolling desk all day, and that’s okay. Save it for tasks where you can pop in and out without needing deep focus.

Experiment with times that maximize visibility. For me, an hour in the morning and another after lunch seems to work best.

Keep moving, too. Each new hallway or classroom presents an opportunity to connect with someone new.

One Last Thought

Maybe a rolling desk isn’t the right fit for you, but the principle behind it is universal: How can we bring our work into the spaces where connection naturally happens? 

The challenges of school leadership won’t disappear, but when we adopt strategies that balance visibility with productivity, we serve our communities better. And when that happens, we don’t just feel better; we become better for the people we serve.